At least 18 killed as gunmen storm Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul

At least 18 people were killed and 12 others injured when gunmen stormed the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on 20 January, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The attack, which was later claimed by the Taliban, began when at least five gunmen wearing army uniforms and reportedly armed with rocket-propelled grenades and smaller weapons entered the building around 21:00 h local time and began opening fire on hotel guests and staff members.

Security officials were quoted as saying that all of the attackers were killed following a 12-hour-long gun battle with Afghan special forces. A statement by the Interior Ministry in Kabul blamed the attack on the Haqqani Network, a group affiliated with the Taliban.

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